[LAST CALL, UPDATE} Oklahoma State University English Conference, "Transforming Words," March 4-5, 2011

full name / name of organization:

English Graduate Student Association

contact email:

osuegsa@gmail.com

The English Graduate Student Association (EGSA) at Oklahoma State University, an organization of English graduate students and faculty members committed to promoting student academic development and scholastic achievement, is currently accepting proposals for its annual graduate conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Transforming Words.” In his 1969 work, The Way to Rainy Mountain, N. Scott Momaday asserts, “We have all been changed by words; we have been hurt, delighted, puzzled, filled with wonder.” During the conference, we would like to explore the practical ways language functions to effect change. How can language overcome supposed barriers of race and gender? How can the academic language we use as scholars work to enact specific political change? What about the language we use as educators?

While we are most interested in papers that pertain in some way to this topic, EGSA welcomes papers on any topic of literature, film and screen studies, language, philosophy, popular culture, the teaching of writing, TESL, and/or English education. Creative writers are also welcomed to submit works of poetry, drama, or fiction.

While the EGSA conference is organized to meet the needs of graduate students, we welcome contributions from academics at all levels, including undergraduate students and first-time presenters, who are interested in participating in and learning about being part of an academic community. Please note that all presentations should be kept to a twenty-minute maximum.

Please submit the title and a 500-word (maximum) abstract to osuegsa@gmail.com. Also, please let us know if you would be interested in chairing a session. Proposals are due by January 14, 2011.